Friday, January 15, 2021
Fri-Yay: What Does the Future Hold for Sitcoms on Streaming Services?; Disney+ Has Its Teenage Doogie Howser
by Vincent
On January 1, the unthinkable happened: The Office, arguably Netflix's biggest hit of its acquired collection, was removed from the service. Of course, it wasn't unthinkable, exactly: Netflix first announced this would be happening nearly two years ago, after NBC claimed exclusive rights for the program for its budding streaming service Peacock. But it was still a major blow that caused a lot of outcry on social media. As we enter the next phase of the streaming era - which finds networks and studios increasingly making their own, separately priced streaming services and pulling their content off of where it was previously - it begs the question: will consumers follow their favorite shows, or will they find new shows instead?
It's still too soon to tell if The Office caused an uptick in subscribers for Peacock (which has been around since the summer, but easily has its biggest promotional push now that it has acquired arguably the biggest sitcom of the past 20 years.) But on social media, people aren't responding happy to see The Office in a new home, even with the enticement of extended cuts and deleted scenes. People are angry that their favorite sitcom has been taken away from them, and they seem to prefer venting on social media rather than signing up for Peacock. You might say, "why not just sign up for Peacock? It starts at 4.99/month." But to be fair, the amount of streaming service keeps piling up. To access the library you would've had access to on Netflix alone just 5 years ago, you'd have to sign up for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max. Now to add another steaming service to the mix - it's understandable why people are angry, or opting to buy The Office DVDs on Amazon instead (Amazon reported an increase in sales of them after The Office left Netflix.) Still, if Peacock (or any other competing service) continues to add more and more shows, is it possible people will cancel Netflix and migrate to it? The Netflix brand is very strong, so it's going to take a lot for that to happen. But then again, Netflix keeps losing more and more series, and the more studios and networks that make their own Netflix series, the smaller their library will get. That's why Netflix has bet so much on its original programming in recent years. But will that be enough? The streamer has had plenty of original hits, but nothing blockbuster to the level of Orange is the New Black or Stranger Things in a few years now. Plus, reports of viewing activity have shown that long-running network series like The Office tend to be the most popular shows on streaming services due to their place as "comfort TV," and Netflix - with its new policy of ending shows after 3 or 4 seasons (original sitcoms like One Day at a Time, Alexa & Katie, The Ranch, No Good Nick), and keeping seasons to 10 episodes or less - doesn't really make programming of that kind anymore. We'll see where the next few years and the splintering of streaming services leaves sitcoms, but for now, I suggest finding your favorite sitcoms on the streaming services you have and holding them tight. (Also, if you're a Netflix subscriber looking for a show to replace The Office, might I suggest Community?)
Genius. Doctor. Teenager. Peyton Elizabeth Lee has been cast in the leading role as Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., an all-new Disney+ Original Series. Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., a re-imagining of the popular ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D., has been picked up to series, as we previously mentioned. Kourtney Kang (Fresh Off the Boat, How I Met Your Mother) is set to write and executive produce for 20th Television. Set in modern-day Hawaii, the 10-episode comedy follows Lahela "Doogie" Kameāloha, a mixed race 16-year-old girl, juggling a budding medical career and life as a teenager. Guiding Lahela (and also complicating things) is her family, including her spit-fire Irish mother who's also her supervisor at the hospital, and her Hawaiian "Local Boy" father struggling to accept that his daughter is no longer his little girl. Stay tuned for a premiere date and much more!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Sunday, December 22
Bob's Burgers - "The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas" (Fox, 7:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When the power goes out two days before Christmas, The Belchers must spend the holiday at Mr. Fischoeder's family's old hunting lodge.
Krapopolis - "Krapocalypse" (Fox, 7:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Tyrannis is stuck in a time loop trying to save the city.
The Simpsons - "The Man Who Flew Too Much" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
The new and improved Pin Pals travel to Capital City for their first ever state bowling championship.
Universal Basic Guys - "The Devil You Know" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Mark insists on teaching his son Darren how to throw a handmade boomerang that was gifted to Darren by his father; the two soon find themselves on a trek deep into the Jersey woods; David is the recipient of a sex doll that he swears he didn't order.
The Great North - "The Lies Aquatic Adventure" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
While Beef is away, the Tobin fishing boat goes missing; the Tobin siblings wildly speculate on what could have happened.
Krapopolis - "National Lampoon's The Odyssey!" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The family takes a vacation to Storgos for Shlub's mother's birthday.
Bob Hearts Abishola - "Full-Frontal Dottie" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Excited by her physical therapy progress, Dottie insists she is ready to return to MaxDot, much to Bob, Douglas and Christina's dismay.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 16)
Sunday, December 22
- Teyonah Parris (No Good Deed/Survivor's Remorse) - Catch Teyonah on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
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